Changing Your Approach

When you repeatedly fail in pursuit of a goal, ask yourself if there is another way or approach you should be using. Take a step back and assess what you are doing to achieve your goal and what specifically you need to change:

Consider if your goal is still achievable. It is sometimes appropriate to change your goal and put your time and energy toward a different goal that still aligns with your vision. If Bill Gates and Paul Allen had not given up on Traf-O-Data (their first and lesser known start-up), they may never have started Microsoft.

Develop a flexible mind-set. If things are not going your way, try different approaches that will help you meet your goal. If you have exhausted all your resources, and it makes more sense to devote your energy on a new pursuit, then switch tracks.

Consider a new strategy. If you are not making progress, perhaps an assessment of your strategy is in order. If your goal is to find your dream job, but you are not getting calls from prospective employers or not succeeding in interviews, a change in strategy may be to obtain more information about your prospective employers through informational sessions. Or maybe your resume needs a tune-up.